Milani Illuminating Face Powder in Amber Nectar

$9.25 at BeautyJoint.com

The finish of this product isn't shimmery at all. It has a bit of a satin finish so it can catch the light, but not reflect too much. 

It definitely has some peachy and pink undertones and applies nicely to the skin. The effect is subtle, but noticeable. 

I'd read some reviews of this product before buying it and most reviews were saying that this product wasn't very good or worth the money. I've only had good experiences with Milani products so I thought I'd give it a try anyways and it turned out to be a nice product.

I think most were expecting this to be more 'illuminating' than it actually is. Perhaps they were expecting more shimmer or more sheen, but I think that the slight satin finish that this has is enough glow (especially if you have oily skin).

I like that there are sections of different colours because if you wanted to use one colour as a brow highlight, you could definitely do so.

This could also be used as a blush.

The packaging is durable and simple, making it great for travel and storage.

Tarte Blush & Bronze On The Go

I like trying new brands, but I usually start with getting a sampler set featuring some of the brand's most popular items. I've heard great things about Tarte, so I decided to try the Blush & Bronze On The Go set which contains an Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush and an Amazonian Clay Bronzer.

$20 at Sephora (Canada)

Amazonian Clay Bronzer in Park Ave Princess

Amazonian Clay Bronzer in Park Ave Princess

Amazonian Clay Bronzer in Park Ave Princess

Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Dollface

Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Dollface

Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Dollface

Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Dollface

*The colour of this blush is more pink and bright in person. See swatches for a more accurate representation of colour*

Dollface, Park Ave Princess

(with flash)

Dollface, Park Ave Princess

(without flash)

I've wanted to try Tarte for a while but I couldn't bring myself to spend $33 and $38 for the full size version of these products. Instead, I spent $20 for these smaller but decently sized versions which will probably last me a long time. The only downside is that I couldn't choose the colours.

The blush applies nice and smoothly and does last quite long. The swatch looks chalky, but when blended, it smoothes out. It's completely matte with no shimmer. The bronzer has a nicer texture. It's smoother and has some glow to it.

The packaging of both is definitely travel-friendly. They're slim and compact with thick casings to prevent shattering of the product when accidentally dropped.

Though these are nice products, I think there are drug store dupes out there that can perform the same way for a much cheaper price.

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Milani Baked Blush in Corallina

Click here to read my post on Milani's Baked Blush in Rose D'Oro.

I went to the US a while ago and got another Baked Blush from Milani at Meijer for $6.99.

I've been seeing coral and tangerine colours everywhere lately so I thought this blush colour was right on trend.

Corallina

Frosty white, orange, red and pink veining

The frosty white/silver sparkle shines through the coral

The sparkle shows up nicely in natural lighting

Corallina is very bright and intimidating, but can be toned down by applying it lightly and blending well.

I'd like to see this colour with a warm sparkle rather than a silvery/white sparkle, but that's my personal preference. If you're looking for a blush colour that's on trend and can be built up or toned down, Corallina is for you!

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Physicians Formula Matchmaker Blush in Natural

I bought this on sale at Shoppers Drug Mart for $12.49 (regular price is around $16). It didn't look like these were selling very well because there were a lot left and it went on sale about a week after they came out.

I wanted to see what the "matchmaker" part was all about and so I went with the one in Natural just in case it didn't really work (it also comes in Rose).

Physicians Formula Matchmaker Blush in Natural

The claim: This blush will 'match' you by reacting to your skin's pH and the lighting.

The Claim: Will also wear for 14 hours. 

Comes with a small brush in the bottom compartment.

Lights off
The packaging is sturdy and light.

Lights on
The lights seem gimmicky but can be useful if you're in a dark space.

Left: Heavy swatch Right: Blended out
Taken immediately after application

Left: Heavy swatch Right: Blended out
Taken 60 seconds after application
*This is when the blush should have "matched" my skin's pH. 

Left: Heavy swatch Right: Blended out
Taken 5 minutes after application and exposed to different types of light.

I wore this blush for two days and noticed that it was too bright at first. After a few minutes, it had faded quite a bit (which I assume is the result of it 'matching' me) and then by the end of the day, it was barely noticeable.

It's hard to review this product because it's not meant to work the same way for everyone. The colour definitely changed, which for me was fading to a lighter version of its original colour. In this way, the product worked. However, with a bit of practice, you can make any blush "match" you, if all you're going to do is sheer it out and add a hint of colour.

The lights are cool, but unnecessary, unless you're someone who could benefit from something like this.

Overall, a decent product, but not worth it.

Also available in Bronzer and lip gloss.

Available on Amazon right now:

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Joe Fresh Blush in Plum

I'm slowly starting to further explore Joe Fresh makeup products.

This brand can be found in large grocery stores in Canada and in addition to their makeup line, they also have a clothing line.

I bought this blush for $5. They are $6 in stores, but sometimes they have a $1 coupon at Superstore.

Joe Fresh Blush in Plum, 7g

It's more pink and purple toned in real life.

Blended out on the left, swatched on the right.
(bright lighting)

Blended out on the left, swatched on the right.
(normal lighting)

I find this to be a very pigmented blush, which isn't always ideal. Because of this, I tend to use it very lightly so as to get a hint of colour rather than a blotch of colour. It has some shimmer in it and it is a traditional 'berry' colour. I think I'll end up getting something more peachy in colour as it seems to suit me best, but overall, this blush applies and blends well and isn't too shimmery.

I know that Joe Fresh has expanded into the US, but I'm not sure if it's available anywhere else.

I definitely recommend their products because I've had great luck with them so far, and the prices are extremely reasonable.

Pigmentation: 4/5

Packaging: 4/5

Staying Power: 4/5

Price: $6

Availability: Superstore (Canada), www.joe.ca

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Maybelline Dream Mousse Bronzers and Blushes

I heard somewhere that these were being discontinued. I haven't noticed them disappearing in the stores, but these were/are on sale at Superstore (Canada) for $3.94 each! I was really only interested in the brown shades because I wanted to see if they could be used as eyeshadow bases.

These are actually amazing as eyeshadow bases. I first apply a primer and then a small amount of Dream Mousse and then layer an eyeshadow on top. It makes the eyeshadow stay on all day and remain crease-free. I find that using bases helps make the eyeshadow stick to your eyelid better as primers can often dry really quickly and lose their adhesiveness.

Left to right: 10 Glistening Sun, 20 Sun Glow, 60 Coffee Cake

Glistening Sun (with flash)

Glistening Sun (without flash)

Sunglow (with flash)

Sun Glow (without flash)

Coffee Cake (without flash)

Coffee Cake (with flash)

Two swatches of each; one apply thickly and one blended onto the skin.
Glistening Sun, Sun Glow, Coffee Cake
(with flash)

Two swatches of each; one apply thickly and one blended onto the skin.
Glistening Sun, Sun Glow, Coffee Cake
(without flash)

The texture of these are halfway between a cream and a mousse. I don't think they're meant to be very pigmented because as they are meant to be used as bronzers and blushes, they want them to blend very easily and just give a hint of colour.

They are packaged in glass containers similar to MAC Paint Pots and Maybelline Color Tattoos, but the lids are a bit larger than they need to be. This makes them a bit bulky, but they have a nice weight to them.

I imagine these are similar in texture to the Dream Mousse Shadows, but I don't believe they were ever released in Canada. I really hope they aren't discontinuing this line because is has great products! That, and I'm hoping they end up releasing the Shadows here.

As for using these as bronzers, I can't comment as I don't like using cream bronzers/blushes this time of year. However, I feel as if they would give a nice glow to anywhere you apply it.

Pigmentation: 2/5 (which is appropriate considering their intended use)

Packaging: 5/5

Staying Power: 5/5 (when used as a base under other eyeshadows)

Price: $9 CAD 

Availability: WalMart, Superstore, Shoppers Drug Mart

Repurchase: Yes

Dupes:

Milani Baked Blush in Rose D'Oro

This is one of the first Milani products I have ever tried. Milani's selection in Canada is minimal which is why I waited to purchase this when I went to the US rather than order it online. I bought this for ~$6 at Meijer.

Milani Baked Blush in Rose D'Oro

Brush and mirror located in the bottom

With flash

With flash

Without flash

 You'll notice that the gold veining goes through half of the blush while the other half is a solid peachy-pink colour. I'm not sure if the pattern is the same for every single blush, but in this case, I like how it is split in half because the gold significantly changes the colour of the peachy-pink.

Left to right: solid peachy-pink section, gold veining, both (with flash)

Left to right: solid peachy-pink section, gold veining, both (without flash)

This is a very pigmented blush and gives a great natural colour when used sparingly. Using a bit more can create a deeper colour. The gold veining provides a bit of shimmer and tapping your brush into that section specifically can give you a bit of a highlight.

Baked blushes are often very shimmery, and Rose D'Oro is no exception! Keep this in mind if you are purchasing this blush online.

I wish I could find more Milani products in Canada! I've seen them at grocery stores but they rarely put more products in stock.

Summary
Product: Milani's Baked Blush in Rose D'Oro
Price: ~$6 (Meijer)
Grade: B+ (it's a bit too shimmery, but I like using it lightly)

Available on Amazon: